We are inching closer and closer to the 2021 Daytona 500. In the buildup to the iconic race, Ryan Newman heads into the weekend with bad memories. When the race weekend kicks off, it will be a full year since his near-death experience on the final lap of the race.

The #6 driver was close to a good finish until the Big One occurred. Newman was sent flying through the air and landing on top of another car. In the end, he was promptly rushed to the hospital, before he was diagnosed with a bruised brain. As a result, doctors placed him in a medically induced coma.

The good news was that he made a full recovery and walked out of the hospital with his two daughters. Obviously, the entire NASCAR community was thrilled at the news. In addition to that, it also proved how far the sport has come in the safety department.

Ryan Newman looked back on the crash at Daytona

“I don’t really think about it unless somebody brings it up,” Newman said. “That’s the thing. It’s behind me. I’m happy I was able to live through it, and I’m fortunate in more ways than one.”

12 months later, the veteran driver is keen to banish all memories of that nightmarish race. For obvious reasons, the Roush Fenway Racing driver has unfinished business at the track. The 43-year-old has won the ‘Great American Race’ in 2008 and would love to have an encore.

However, he needs to take advantage of his opportunity and reach Victory Lane again. Hopefully, on this occasion, he does not have an accident. There has not been a single fatality in NASCAR since 2001, which is a testament to safety. However, Ryan Newman will not be too keen on testing that statistic anytime soon, nor will any other driver.

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